Welcome to the Bank Street Children's Book Committee's (CBC) Searchable Best Books List, a tool designed to help educators, families, librarians, and others access developmentally appropriate and engaging books for young readers (ages birth - 18).
Our online Searchable Best Books List draws from the committee's annual Best Children's Books of the Year-beginning with the list of books published in 2000-with each featuring more than 600 high-quality titles for young readers.
To share feedback about the tool, please feel free to email bookcom@bankstreet.edu. To learn more about the CBC, visit https://www.bankstreet.edu/cbc/.
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Our Friend Hedgehog: A Place to Call Home (Our Friend Hedgehog series)
Lauren Castillo
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Hedgehog meets creatures just like herself, she learns that she's meant to hibernate. But will she choose to leave old friends behind? Colorful illustrations of the natural world.
Lauren Castillo
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
When Hedgehog meets creatures just like herself, she learns that she's meant to hibernate. But will she choose to leave old friends behind? Colorful illustrations of the natural world.
Out of this World: Star-Studded Haiku
Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the universe one haiku at a time and discover stars, moons, eclipses, asteroids, and more, as you've never seen them before. Mixed-media illustrations, extensive back matter.
Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Matthew Trueman
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Explore the universe one haiku at a time and discover stars, moons, eclipses, asteroids, and more, as you've never seen them before. Mixed-media illustrations, extensive back matter.
Path, The
Bob Staake
Illustrator: Bob Staake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dramatic landscapes depicted in a variety of intense and soft colors reflect the twists and turns that everyone will face on the journey of life. Figurative language.
Bob Staake
Illustrator: Bob Staake
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Dramatic landscapes depicted in a variety of intense and soft colors reflect the twists and turns that everyone will face on the journey of life. Figurative language.
People Are Wild
Margaux Meganck
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Animal children query their parents about the diverse humans they see and are warned not to get too close to the people! Color pencil and watercolor illustrations. Back matter.
Margaux Meganck
Illustrator: Margaux Meganck
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Animal children query their parents about the diverse humans they see and are warned not to get too close to the people! Color pencil and watercolor illustrations. Back matter.
Perfect Fit, A: How Lena "Lane" Bryant Changed the Shape of Fashion
Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The inspiring story of Lithuanian immigrant's transformation of the women's clothing industry is shared with style. Distinctively fashionable mixed media illustrations on hand-textured paper. Back matter.
Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: Juana Martinez-Neal
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The inspiring story of Lithuanian immigrant's transformation of the women's clothing industry is shared with style. Distinctively fashionable mixed media illustrations on hand-textured paper. Back matter.
Poem Forest, The: Poet W. S. Merwin and the Palm Tree Forest He Grew from Scratch
Carrie Fountain
Illustrator: Chris Turnham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The former poet laureate, who loved wild thoughts and things, planted thousands of palm trees from all over the world in Hawaii. Poetic narration and lush art.
Carrie Fountain
Illustrator: Chris Turnham
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The former poet laureate, who loved wild thoughts and things, planted thousands of palm trees from all over the world in Hawaii. Poetic narration and lush art.
Polar Bear
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
As global warming imperils their survival, a mother and her cubs roam, search for food, and fend off predators. Striking, realistic, oil paint illustrations.
Candace Fleming
Illustrator: Eric Rohmann
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
As global warming imperils their survival, a mother and her cubs roam, search for food, and fend off predators. Striking, realistic, oil paint illustrations.
Poo-Dunit?: A Forest Floor Mystery
Katelyn Aronson
Illustrator: Stephanie Laberis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Who deposited the smelly droppings outside a mouse's burrow? Rhyming text exposes several possible suspects. Humorous animation-style illustrations. Back matter includes a mystery to solve.
Katelyn Aronson
Illustrator: Stephanie Laberis
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Who deposited the smelly droppings outside a mouse's burrow? Rhyming text exposes several possible suspects. Humorous animation-style illustrations. Back matter includes a mystery to solve.
Raquela's Seder
Joel Edward Stein
Illustrator: Sara Ugolotti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A Passover seder celebrated during the Inquisition gives special meaning to freedom, hope, and possibility. Historical back matter. Warm, sensitive illustrations.
Joel Edward Stein
Illustrator: Sara Ugolotti
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A Passover seder celebrated during the Inquisition gives special meaning to freedom, hope, and possibility. Historical back matter. Warm, sensitive illustrations.
Revolutionary Prudence Wright: Leading the Minute Women in the Fight for Independence
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: Susan Reagan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Freedom from British rule wasn't achieved only by men, as shown in this tribute to a courageous female warrior from Pepperell, Massachusetts. Traditional watercolor and digital illustrations.
Beth Anderson
Illustrator: Susan Reagan
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Freedom from British rule wasn't achieved only by men, as shown in this tribute to a courageous female warrior from Pepperell, Massachusetts. Traditional watercolor and digital illustrations.
Rosa's Song
Helena Ku Rhee
Illustrator: Pascal Campion
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Playful watercolor illustrations capture the mixed sadness and joy of a boy who is new to a country and highlight the power of friendship.
Helena Ku Rhee
Illustrator: Pascal Campion
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Playful watercolor illustrations capture the mixed sadness and joy of a boy who is new to a country and highlight the power of friendship.
Rosie and the Pre-loved Dress
Leanne Hatch
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Finding a beautiful yellow dress at the thrift shop, Rosie imagines what the girl who once owned it did while she was wearing it. Digital illustrations with hand-painted textures.
Leanne Hatch
Illustrator: Leanne Hatch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Finding a beautiful yellow dress at the thrift shop, Rosie imagines what the girl who once owned it did while she was wearing it. Digital illustrations with hand-painted textures.
Sal Boat (A Boat by Sal)
Thyra Heder
Illustrator: Thyra Heder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Sal sets sail in a houseboat he created out of scraps and gumption, uniting his skeptical seaside town community. Watercolor art.
Thyra Heder
Illustrator: Thyra Heder
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Sal sets sail in a houseboat he created out of scraps and gumption, uniting his skeptical seaside town community. Watercolor art.
Sea in the Way, The
Sophie Gilmore
Illustrator: Sophie Gilmore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Badger resents the sea for keeping him and his friend Bear far apart. But the sea teaches Badger that closeness and distance need not be mutually exclusive. Gentle watercolor and ink illustrations.
Sophie Gilmore
Illustrator: Sophie Gilmore
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Badger resents the sea for keeping him and his friend Bear far apart. But the sea teaches Badger that closeness and distance need not be mutually exclusive. Gentle watercolor and ink illustrations.
Secret of the Jade Bangle, The (Nguyen Kids series)
Linda Trinh
Illustrator: Clayton Nguyen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Grandma Nội left gifts for each of her grandchildren. Anne discovers her gift just might help her make a place for herself in a community that is not always welcoming. Digital black-and-white illustrations.
Linda Trinh
Illustrator: Clayton Nguyen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Grandma Nội left gifts for each of her grandchildren. Anne discovers her gift just might help her make a place for herself in a community that is not always welcoming. Digital black-and-white illustrations.
Serengeti: Plains of Grass
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The survival of plant and animal life in delicate balance are described in poetic form taken from Swahili utendi verse. Immersive gouache and pastel artwork. Glossary. Back matter.
Leslie Bulion
Illustrator: Becca Stadtlander
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
The survival of plant and animal life in delicate balance are described in poetic form taken from Swahili utendi verse. Immersive gouache and pastel artwork. Glossary. Back matter.
Snow Horses: A First Night Story
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In a snow-covered countryside, a horse-drawn sleigh picks up young and old for a joyous community New Year's Eve celebration. Collage and ink capture sparkling wintry landscapes.
Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrator: Micha Archer
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
In a snow-covered countryside, a horse-drawn sleigh picks up young and old for a joyous community New Year's Eve celebration. Collage and ink capture sparkling wintry landscapes.
Song of the Nightingale, The
Tanya Landman
Illustrator: Laura Carlin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Rich, lyrical prose and lively mixed-media illustrations bring to life a fable of how the animals got their colors and the nightingale got its song.
Tanya Landman
Illustrator: Laura Carlin
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Rich, lyrical prose and lively mixed-media illustrations bring to life a fable of how the animals got their colors and the nightingale got its song.
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Journey through more than 400 years of Black history, from enslavement to the Black Lives Matter movement, by way of this popular spiritual. Rich oil illustrations.
Carole Boston Weatherford
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Journey through more than 400 years of Black history, from enslavement to the Black Lives Matter movement, by way of this popular spiritual. Rich oil illustrations.
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
Robert Frost
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Atmospheric gouache and watercolor illustrations depict a brave young girl traveling through snowy woods on horseback at night, giving this classic, century-old poem a new interpretation.
Robert Frost
Illustrator: P. J. Lynch
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Atmospheric gouache and watercolor illustrations depict a brave young girl traveling through snowy woods on horseback at night, giving this classic, century-old poem a new interpretation.
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An early civil rights hero's legendary cooking sustained both the celebrated and the unsung champions of the 1956 Montgomery bus boycott. Painterly artwork.
Mara Rockliff
Illustrator: R. Gregory Christie
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
An early civil rights hero's legendary cooking sustained both the celebrated and the unsung champions of the 1956 Montgomery bus boycott. Painterly artwork.
Sweet New Year for Ren, A
Michelle Sterling
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Ren is finally old enough to participate in making her favorite Lunar New Year dessert, the pineapple cake. Vivid illustrations bring a New Year feast alive. Recipe included.
Michelle Sterling
Illustrator: Dung Ho
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Ren is finally old enough to participate in making her favorite Lunar New Year dessert, the pineapple cake. Vivid illustrations bring a New Year feast alive. Recipe included.
Talk, The
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Jay, excited about growing older, has the difficult conversation with his family about growing up Black in a racist society. Digital illustrations.
Alicia D. Williams
Illustrator: Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Jay, excited about growing older, has the difficult conversation with his family about growing up Black in a racist society. Digital illustrations.
This Will Pass
J. Donnini
Illustrator: Luke Scriven
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A great-uncle helps tame his timid great-nephew's anxiety about storms by explaining that they are temporary. Full-page watercolor and gouache illustrations.
J. Donnini
Illustrator: Luke Scriven
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
A great-uncle helps tame his timid great-nephew's anxiety about storms by explaining that they are temporary. Full-page watercolor and gouache illustrations.
Three Billy Goats Gruff, The
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two goats cross a hungry troll's bridge without being eaten by tricking him into believing that the next goat will be even larger and tastier. Muted, dramatic mixed media art.
Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Jon Klassen
Ages: 6+
Published: 2022
Two goats cross a hungry troll's bridge without being eaten by tricking him into believing that the next goat will be even larger and tastier. Muted, dramatic mixed media art.